Combi box for the transport and storage of goods

ABSTRACT

A combi box for the transport and storage of goods, containing a lower part and an upper part of a cut up plastic crate, with a middle part placed between the lower part and the upper part. The inserted middle part is connected on the lower perimeter with the lower part and on the upper perimeter with the upper part by means of locking joints, wherein each locking joint contains the first locking portion formed on a vertical rib of the lower part and on a vertical rib of the upper part, wherein this first locking portion fits into the second locking portion formed on the lower perimeter and on the upper perimeter of the middle part. The second locking portion is surrounded by a solid surface or a cut is provided from the second locking portion towards the open sides of the middle part.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The technical solution relates to a combi box for the transport andstorage of goods

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ART

Different containers, crates or boxes in which the goods are stored areused to transport different types of goods. Among the most famous meansof transporting goods are the “injection moulded crates”. These“injection moulded crates” are made by injection moulds and are made upof a uniform material. The disadvantage is the high initial investmentin injection moulding tools, the higher weight, and the loss of internalloading dimensions with increasing height of the crate (bevels necessaryfor removing from moulds). The injection moulded crates have a finiteservice life. When the injection moulded material is damaged and is nolonger useful, the entire crate is discarded and ground as a means torecycle plastic. Alternatively, the injection moulded crate can becomeobsolete or undesirable if the parts for which it was designed are nolonger in use. Among other famous means of transporting goods are“construction crates”. These are composed of a base of cut sheetmaterial (made using a cutting tool) and a stacking profile (made usingan extrusion mould). Unlike injection moulded crates, they are mostlyused for making atypical dimensions with less demanded quantities. Thedrawbacks of “construction crates” are higher series costs, oftenlimited carrying capacity and more expensive recycling. EP application2368683 discloses a crate made from a cut up injection moulded crate orconstruction crate. Such cut up crate forms the lower part (lower frame)and the upper part (upper frame) of the new crate, wherein the middlepart referred to as the casing is inserted between the cut parts. Thismiddle part connects by welding with the lower and upper parts of thecut up injection moulded crate. The disadvantage of these welded cratesis the complexity of setting the lower and upper parts of the cut upinjection moulded crate towards the middle part, when the position needsto be fixed before welding. The position is fixed by means of notches,which are formed on the middle part, wherein the ribs found on the cutparts of the injection moulded crates are inserted into these notches.Neither fixation of the position by means of ribs will ensure atrouble-free positioning of the middle part for welding the upper andlower parts of the cut up injection moulded crate, so the upper andlower parts must be mechanically secured before welding, which is verydisadvantageous. Another disadvantage of this crate is that if damaged,it is no longer usable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The disadvantages of the known means of transporting and storing goodsare eliminated by a combi box according to the technical solution. Thecombi box includes a lower part and an upper part which are formed froma used or a new cut up plastic injection moulded or construction crate.The middle part which is formed by a casing with two open sides slides(is inserted) onto this cut up parts of the crate, i.e. between thelower and the upper part, wherein the middle part can be of differentheights. The essence of the technical solution is that the insertedmiddle part is by one open side connected with the lower part on thelower perimeter and by the second open side it is connected with theupper part on the upper perimeter, by means of locking joints. Thelocking joint comprises the first locking portion formed on a verticalrib of the lower part and on a vertical rib of the upper part. Thevertical ribs, on which the first locking portion is formed, are theoriginal ribs formed on the cut up injection moulded or constructioncrate. This first locking portion fits into the second locking portion,which is formed on the side of the lower perimeter and on the side ofthe upper perimeter of the casing of the inserted middle part.

According to the design of the second locking portion, the locking jointis either closed or open. The closed locking joint has solid-undividedsurface on the middle part around the second locking portion. The openlocking joint is formed so that a cut is provided from the secondlocking portion towards the open side of the middle part. This cutallows for easier joining and inserting of second locking portions intofirst locking portions formed on vertical ribs of the lower and upperparts, because the middle part with the cut is more pliable. We call thelocking joint formed by one first locking portion and one second lockingportion the single locking joint. Many times it is necessary to create acombi box, which will be larger in size and will carry a larger weightof transported goods, so it is necessary to double the locking joints.To create a double locking joint, two first locking portions are formedon the vertical ribs of the lower and upper parts, and two secondlocking portions are formed on the middle part. We call this type oflocking joint as double closed or double open. The double closed lockingjoint has solid-undivided surface on the middle part around the secondlocking portion. The double open locking joint is formed so that a cutis provided from the second locking portions towards the open side ofthe middle part and the two second locking portions located one abovethe other are also connected with a cut. Though triple or multiplelocking joints could be created, such design does not seem to bepractical. In some combi box applications it will be required,particularly when storing goods, that at least one side of the connectedparts is open, i.e. forms an open area through which the goods will beloaded into the box or removed from it. This may be the shorter frontside or longer lateral side, or a combination thereof. Although thelocking joints will provide sufficient strength to combi box partsconnected by the locking joint, the strength of the connected parts maybe further reinforced by welding at several points or by mechanicaljoint.

The advantages of present technical solution are the low cost of seriesproduction, the almost zero cost of extending the product line, the useof already worn, partly broken or otherwise unused injection moulded orconstruction crates, low weight, and the necessary load resistance thatcan be obtained depending on the type of material used. The material ofthe individual parts of combi box will be plastic in most cases, neitherits combinations with other materials are excluded. Combi box can beused for transporting industrial goods, for example in the automotive,mechanical and electrical engineering and other industries, as well asfor transporting foodstuffs, medicines, toys, and similar goods.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The technical solution is explained in more detail in the accompanyingdrawings, which show:

FIG. 1 Assembled combi box connected by a single closed locking joint,with vertical ribs inserted into the connected middle part

FIG. 2 Disassembled parts of combi box of FIG. 1 in a wired design

FIG. 3 Detail of the single closed locking joint between the lower frameand the middle part of the combi box of FIG. 3

FIG. 4 Detail of the single closed locking joint between the upper frameand the middle part of the combi box of FIG. 3

FIG. 5 Assembled combi box connected by a single closed locking joint ina wired design

FIG. 6 Disassembled parts of combi box of FIG. 5

FIG. 7 Detail of the single open locking joint between the upper frameand the middle part of the combi box, with a cut provided from thesecond locking portion

FIG. 8 Detail of the single open locking joint between the lower frameand the middle part of the combi box, with a cut provided from thesecond locking portion

FIG. 9 Detail of the single closed locking joint between the upper frameand the middle part of the combi box, with lowered second lockingportion

FIG. 10 Detail of the single closed locking joint between the lowerframe and the middle part of the combi box, with raised second lockingportion

FIG. 11 Detail of the single open locking joint between the upper frameand the middle part of the combi box, with lowered second lockingportion and a cut provided from the second locking portion

FIG. 12 Detail of the single open locking joint between the lower frameand middle part of the combi box, with raised second locking portion anda cut provided from the second locking portion

FIG. 13 Detail of the double closed locking joint between the upperframe and the middle part of the combi box

FIG. 14 Detail of the double closed locking joint between the middlepart and the lower frame of the combi box

FIG. 15 Detail of the double open locking joint between the upper frameand the middle part of the combi box, with a cut provided in the secondlocking portion

FIG. 16 Detail of the double open locking joint between the middle partand the lower frame of the combi box, with a cut provided in the secondlocking portion

FIG. 17 Assembled combi box connected by a single open locking joint,with one side open

FIG. 18 Disassembled parts of combi box of FIG. 17

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The combi box 10 for the transport and storage of goods depicted inFIGS. 1 to 18 is made from a conventional or used injection moulded orconstruction crate. This conventional injection moulded or constructioncrate is cut approximately in half to create a lower part 1 (hereinafterreferred to as a lower frame 1) and an upper part 2 (hereinafterreferred to as an upper frame 2). The middle part 3, which is formed bya casing with two open sides, is inserted between the lower frame 1 andthe upper frame 2, wherein this middle part 3 may be of different heightdepending on the type of transported or stored goods. The shape of thismiddle part 3 corresponds to the shape of the lower frame 1 and theupper frame 2. The middle part 3 is by open sides connected with thelower frame 1 and with the upper frame 2 by means of locking joints 4.Locking joints 4 are formed on the surfaces of the lower perimeter 3.1and on the surfaces of the upper perimeter 3.2 of the middle part 3 andon the vertical ribs 1.1 of the upper frame 1 and on the vertical ribs2.1 of the upper frame 2. According to embodiment variants and thenumber of locking joints 4 formed between the connected middle part 3and the lower frame 1 and the upper frame 2, the connected parts may beused without any other securing or may be secured against separation bywelding or by a mechanical dismountable or non-dismountable joint.Therefore, all embodiments described below assume a combi box 10comprising a structurally adapted lower frame 1 and upper frame 2 madefrom an injection moulded or construction crate, to which the middlepart 3 (middle casing) is connected by means of the locking joint 4.

FIGS. 1 to 4 show combi box 10 of a rectangular shape with four lockingjoints 4, which are formed on the opposite long sides of the connectedparts. The locking joints 4 are arranged so that the lower frame 1 hasthe first locking portion 4.1 formed on each longer side on one originalvertical rib 1.1, comprising a recess 4.11 and a protruding portion4.12, which remained from the original vertical rib 1.1 of the cut upcrate. First locking portions 4.1 on the lower frame 1 are positioneddiagonally relative to each other (FIGS. 2 and 3). Also the upper frame2 has the first locking portion 4.1 formed on each longer side on oneoriginal vertical rib 2.1, comprising a recess 4.11 and a protrudingportion 4.12, which remained from the original vertical rib 1.1 (FIGS. 2and 4). The second locking portions 4.2 are formed on the lowerperimeter 3.1 and on the upper perimeter 3.1 of the middle part 3opposite the first locking portions 4.1, and form an opening passingthrough the wall of the middle part 3. This opening is shaped so thatprotruding portions 4.12 of the first locking portion 4.1 fit into it.The second locking portion 4.2 is surrounded by a solid wall of themiddle part 3, therefore we call this locking joint 4 closed. Becausethe locking joint 4 is formed by one first locking portion 4.1 and onesecond locking portion 4.2, we call this locking joint 4 single closed(NOTE: e.g. FIGS. 13 and 14 show the double closed locking joint, seethe description for these figures below). For better stabilization ofconnected parts, structural adaptations are made on the lower frame 1and on the upper frame 2 of the cut up crate and the vertical ribs 9 areretained, which are inserted into the grooves 11 made on the lowerperimeter 3.1 and on the upper perimeter 3.1 of the connected middlepart 3. Two grooves 11 are made on the short sides of the connectedparts and one groove 11 is made on long sides. When connecting themiddle part 3 with the lower frame 1 and with the upper frame 2, themiddle part 3 extends towards the lower frame 1 and the upper frame 2until the first locking portion 4.1 fits into the second locking portion4.2, thereby creating the locking joint 4. Connection of the middle part3 with the lower frame 1 and with the upper frame 2 by means of fourlocking joints 4 ensures a sufficiently precise position of theconnected parts for their possible subsequent fixation by means of amechanical joint, e.g. by welding in points 12, or they are secured by adismountable or non-dismountable joint in points 13 on shorter sides ofthe combi box 10.

FIGS. 5 and 6 show the combi box 10 of a rectangular shape, of whicheach side of the middle part 3 is connected on the lower perimeter 3.1and on the upper perimeter 3.1 with the lower frame 1 and with the upperframe 2 by means of two locking joints 4; in total, the lower frame 1 isconnected with the perimeter side 3.1 of the middle part 3 by means ofeight locking joints 4 and the same number of locking joints 4 has alsothe connection of the perimeter side 3.2 of the middle part 3 with theupper frame 2. In this embodiment, the locking joints 4 are constructedin the same way as in example from FIGS. 1 and 2, i.e. on vertical ribs1.1 of the lower frame 1 and on vertical ribs 2.1 of the upper frame 2,the first locking portion 4.1 is formed, which fits into the secondlocking portion 4.2 formed on the middle part 3. This number of lockingjoints ensures a sufficiently strong connection between the frames 1 and2 connected with the middle part 3, therefore no further fixation of theconnected parts is necessary. Also in this exemplary embodiment, thelocking joint 4 is formed as single closed, i.e. the second lockingportion 4.2 on the middle part 3 is surrounded by a solid surface. Noteven this variant of connection by means of 16 locking joints excludesadditional fixation, e.g. by welding.

FIGS. 7 to 16 show different variants of embodiment of the locking joint4.

FIGS. 7 and 8 show the embodiment of the single open locking joint 4.This single open locking joint 4 is formed so that a cut 6 is providedfrom the second locking portion 4.2 on the lower perimeter 3.1 and onthe upper perimeter 3.2 of the middle part 3 towards the open sides ofthe middle part 3. The first locking portion 4.1 on the upper frame 1and on the lower frame 2 is formed similarly as in the previousexemplary embodiments. This cut 6 facilitates the insertion of thesecond locking portions 4.2 into the first locking portions 4.1 formedon the vertical ribs 1.1 of the lower frame 1 and on the vertical ribs2.1 of the upper frame 2.

FIGS. 9 and 10 show the embodiment of the single closed locking joint 4,which is formed on the vertical rib 2.1 to connect the upper frame 2with the middle part 3, wherein the recess 4.11 of the first lockingportion 4.1 is shaped on the longer section of the vertical rib 2.1,while the protruding portion 4.12 is shaped on the shorter section ofthe vertical rib 2.1. The second locking portion 4.2 formed on the upperperimeter 3.1 of the middle part 3 is made deeper in the wall of themiddle part 3 (FIG. 9). Also for connecting the lower frame 1 with themiddle part 3, the locking joint 4 is formed on the vertical rib 1.1 ofthe lower frame 1, wherein the recess 4.11 is shaped on the longersection of the vertical rib 1.1 and the protruding portion 4.12 on theshorter section of the vertical rib 1.1. The second locking portion 4.2formed on the lower perimeter 3.1 of the middle part 3 is made deeper inthe wall of the middle part 3 (FIG. 10).

FIGS. 11 and 12 show the embodiment of the single open locking joint 4with the same constructional solution as described for examples in FIGS.9 and 10. The difference in this locking joint is that a cut 6 isprovided from the second locking portion 4.2 towards the open sides ofthe middle part 3, which facilitates the insertion of the second lockingportion 4.2 into the first locking portion 4.1 on the lower frame 1 andon the upper frame 2.

FIGS. 13 and 14 show the embodiment of the double closed locking joint4, which connects the middle part 3 with the lower frame 1 and with theupper frame 2. The constructional solution of the double closed lockingjoint contains the same elements as the solution described in theprevious examples, but on the vertical rib 1.1 of the lower frame 1 andon the vertical rib 2.1 of the upper frame 2, two first locking portions4.1 are formed, containing the recess 4.11 and the protruding portion4.12. On the connected middle part 3, two second locking portions 4.2are formed one above the other on the lower perimeter 3.1 and on theupper perimeter 3.2, into which two first locking portions 4.1 areinserted. If the rectangular combi box contains on each side two doublelocks on two lower vertical ribs 1.1 and on two upper vertical ribs 2.1,then the total number of locking joints along the perimeter of the combibox will be 32. This embodiment of the locking joint is particularlysuitable for larger combi boxes with a higher permissible load.

FIGS. 15 and 16 show the embodiment of the double open locking joint 4,which connects the middle part 3 with the lower frame 1 and with theupper frame 2.1. It is constructively the same solution of the lockingjoint as described for the exemplary embodiments in FIGS. 13 and 14.This locking joint 4 differs in that a cut 6 is provided from the secondlocking portion 4.2 towards the open side of the middle part 3, and acut 7 is also provided between the two second locking portions 4.2placed one above the other. These cuts 6 and 7 facilitate the insertionof second locking portions 4.2 into the first locking portions 4.1 onthe lower frame 1 and on the upper frame 2.

FIGS. 17 and 18 show the combi box 10 of a rectangular shape consistingof the middle part 3 and the lower frame 1 and the upper frame 2,wherein the middle part 3 is connected to the lower frame 1 and to theupper frame 2 by means of the single open locking joint 4. Theconstruction of the single open locking joint 4 is identical to theexemplary embodiment described and shown, e.g. in FIGS. 7 and 9. But oneshorter side of connected parts 1, 2, and 3 forms an open side 8. Thissolution is especially suitable for storing goods in shelves, where theopen side 8 provides access to the stored goods. The open side 8 mayalso be formed on two opposing short sides or on the adjacent shorterand longer sides, etc. To improve the strength of connected parts 1, 2,and 3, these parts are welded together at points 12.

Although several variants of the connection of the lower frame 1 and theupper frame 2 with the middle part 3 of the combi box have beendescribed and illustrated, various other combinations are not excluded,e.g. one combi box will be connected on the lower frame with the middlepart by means of the double closed locking joint and on the upper frameby means of the single open locking joint, etc. Not even additionalimprovement of the strength of connected parts, e.g. by welding ormechanical joint is excluded.

What is claimed is:
 1. A combi box for the transport and storage ofgoods, containing a lower part 1 and an upper part 2 of a cut up plasticcrate, with a middle part 3 placed between the lower part 1 and theupper part 2, characterized by the fact that the intermediate middlepart 3 is connected on the lower perimeter 3.1 with the lower part 1 andon the upper perimeter 3.2 with the upper part 2 by means of lockingjoints 4, wherein each locking joint 4 contains the first lockingportion 4.1 formed on a vertical rib 1.1 of the lower part 1 and on avertical rib 2.1 of the upper part 2, wherein this first locking portion4.1 fits into the second locking portion 4.2 formed on the lowerperimeter 3.1 and on the upper perimeter 3.2 of the middle part
 3. 2.The combi box according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that thesecond locking portion 4.2 is surrounded by a solid surface.
 3. Thecombi box according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that a cut 6is provided from the second locking portion 4.2 towards the open sidesof the middle part
 3. 4. The combi box according to claim 1,characterized by the fact that two first locking portions 4.1 are formedon the vertical rib 1.1 of the lower part 1 and on the vertical rib 2.1of the upper part 2 and two second locking portions 4.2 are formed oneabove the other in the middle part
 3. 5. The combi box according toclaim 4, characterized by the fact that the cut 6 is provided from thesecond locking portion 4.2 towards the open sides of the middle part 3and the second locking portions 4.2 located one above the other areconnected with a cut
 7. 6. The combi box according to claim 1,characterized by the fact that at least one side of the connected parts1, 2, and 3 forms an open area
 8. 7. The combi box according to claim 1,characterized by the fact that the middle part 3 is connected to thelower part 1 and to the upper part 2 by welding and/or mechanical joint.